News
Carew sanctions confirmed
PEMBROKE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB has confirmed the sanctions it has handed out to Carew Cricket Club.
The club have been allowed to keep the Division 1 trophy but have been relegated for the way in which they achieved that title.
The final day of the Pembrokeshire cricket season was set for an exciting game between Carew and Cresselly.
However, Cresselly asked Carew to bat first and wouldn’t change their mind despite being asked if they wanted to.
Carew batted first but declared on 18-1, meaning that Cresselly would not be able to gain the necessary amount of points for them to overtake Carew and win the league title.
That decision caused uproar and the story was picked up by national press and the County Cricket Club received many complaints from a number of local clubs.
A sub-committee was set up and Carew were subsequently charged with acting in a manner calculated to prejudice the good name and interests of Pembroke County Cricket Club
They also charged Carew’s captain, Brian Hall, with a failure in his duties as a captain to ensure that the game was played within the spirit of cricket.
A hearing was held on Tuesday (Sept 26) and decided that Carew would be allowed to keep the title but would be relegated to Division 2 for the 2018 season.
Carew captain Brian Hall was also banned from all cricket for next season, with half of that suspended, and the club were fined £300.
Pembroke County Cricket Club President: “Carew Cricket Club were charged with bringing Pembroke County Cricket Club into disrepute, and the captain of Carew, Mr Brian Hall, was charged with breaking the code of conduct and spirit of cricket.
“At a meeting held at Haverfordwest Cricket Club on Tuesday, September 26, both Carew and Brian Hall were found guilty of the offences, and the following penalties were imposed.
“Brian Hall was reprimanded and banned from playing cricket from April 22 to August 31, 2018.
“The months of July and August of that ban are suspended until August 31, 2019.
“Carew Cricket Club were reprimanded and their first team relegated to Division Two, and their second team relegated to Division Three.”
If the decision of the County Club is upheld it could mean a reprieve for Kilgetty Cricket Club who finished second from bottom in Division 1 last season.
Carew’s second team would also have to be relegated to the third division as County rules state that no first and second teams of the same club can compete in the same division.
Carew have indicated that they are considering appealing the decision made by PCCC.
Carew Cricket Club President Gethin Evans told the Herald that they will be meeting soon to discuss whether or not they will appeal the decision made by the County Cricket Club.
As a result of receiving the communication outlining the decision of the Disciplinary committee and the sanctions imposed, both Carew Cricket Club and Brian Hall would be able to execute their right to appeal [4 days]. If either or both parties do wish to appeal their sanctions, then a date for a new hearing, under the County Club rules, will be set with a new panel hearing the case once again.
The Pembrokeshire Herald understands both parties had legal representation at the hearing on Tuesday and if there is an appeal hearing, that committee has the remit to uphold, reduce or even inflict a higher sanction than what was determined by the original committee, Chairman John Harries, Nick Evans, Peter Betteley and Wil Newell
Business
Stena announces redundancy plan amid uncertainty for Pembrokeshire
FREIGHT carrier and ferry operator Stena Line, which runs services between Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, has announced plans to cut up to 80 staff members following an internal review.
Uncertainty looms over whether any of these redundancies will impact staff operating our local ferry services.
Stena CEO Paul Grant shared the news in an email to employees on Monday, citing a need to “future proof the company.” He explained that an internal assessment revealed the company’s current organisational structure as “too big and expensive” compared to its revenue.
The decision comes amid rising costs and increased competition in the freight and travel sectors.
According to Mr. Grant, “Cost pressure due to higher inflation has led to our customers having less money to spend, and with the introduction of the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), increasing our prices, we see a decline in volumes for both travel and freight.” Additionally, disappointing sales during the summer season and unmet market growth expectations for 2024 contributed to the restructuring.
The program, designed to strengthen Stena’s long-term business viability, includes a reduction of costs, prioritization of investments, and staff cuts that will primarily impact support functions and consultants. The workforce will be reduced by 80 positions by early 2025, along with 30 consultants also set to leave the company. Discussions with unions and work councils are expected to last several months, with all affected staff to be informed of their status by January 31, 2025.
In response to this announcement, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has demanded a meeting with Stena Line to clarify the impact of these cuts, particularly on their members.
TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust expressed disappointment over the handling of the announcement, stating: “Our members are shocked by this news and outraged that Stena has chosen to sidestep established industrial relations processes. Stena must meet with us urgently to clarify who is at risk and address the potential impacts on our members.”
The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at securing Stena Line’s future amid sustainability challenges. CEO Niclas Mårtensson acknowledged the difficult decision, stating, “Stena Line has been a successful company over the past few years; however, we need to ensure a lower cost base to be able to future proof the company. With 40 vessels in Europe and the Mediterranean, we have significant sustainability challenges ahead of us, and this program will enable us to make necessary investments for the future.”
The TSSA’s letter to Stena reiterates the union’s commitment to supporting affected employees and calls for an immediate discussion to clarify the situation, especially for staff at Fishguard who may be impacted.
News
UK government to appoint first Wales Crown Estate Commissioner
FOR the first time, the UK government will appoint a Crown Estate Commissioner dedicated to advising on matters in Wales, further integrating Welsh interests in board-level decisions. This move supports existing efforts to ensure that Wales benefits from the push for clean energy, following an agreement facilitated by the Welsh Secretary.
An amendment to the Crown Estate Bill, with cross-party backing from Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats, and crossbenchers, will be accepted at today’s Lords Report Stage (Nov 5). This change mandates the appointment of a Wales-specific Commissioner through the Public Appointments process, with input from the Welsh Government. The appointee will bear “an additional responsibility” to represent Welsh conditions and interests, amplifying Wales’s voice within the Crown Estate.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has collaborated with the Treasury, The Crown Estate, House of Lords members, and the Welsh Government to secure this legislative advancement. The Crown Estate, instrumental in drawing international investment to Wales, supports projects like Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea, which promises cleaner energy and job creation.
The introduction of a Wales-specific Commissioner strengthens The Crown Estate’s mission to serve the entire UK while averting potential market fragmentation and protecting international investor confidence critical to the net-zero transition.
In a related effort, Great British Energy, the government’s new public energy firm, recently partnered with The Crown Estate to expedite renewable energy advancements. This initiative could attract up to £60bn in private investment, boosting the UK’s journey toward energy independence.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens stated: “This is a landmark step toward ensuring that Welsh prosperity is at the heart of the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. Our nation stands to benefit hugely from investment in floating offshore wind, and we now have the representation we need to help seize that moment. This demonstrates how Wales benefits directly from its two governments working together, and I’m grateful to Lord Livermore, The Crown Estate, and others for helping to make this happen.”
Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, Chair of The Crown Estate, said: “In seeking to increase the number of Commissioners from eight to twelve, The Crown Estate welcomes the opportunity now presented by this amendment to bring even more direct knowledge and understanding of the areas in which we operate and further strengthen our ability to deliver benefit to the whole of the UK.”
Crime
Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
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